Intellectual Disability (Mental Retardation)

An individual who is both intellectually disabled and exceptionally talented in a specific domain is often referred to as a "savant." Savant syndrome is a rare condition where a person demonstrates profound abilities or skills in areas such as music, art, or mathematics, despite having significant cognitive limitations. These individuals can exhibit remarkable talents that coexist with their disabilities, highlighting the diverse nature of human intelligence and capability.

Borderline intellectual functioning, often referred to as borderline mental retardation, is characterized by an IQ score between 70 and 84. It is a lifelong condition and does not "go away" as a person ages. However, individuals can develop coping strategies and skills over time, which may improve their functioning and quality of life. Early intervention and support can play a significant role in helping individuals reach their potential.

It may be necessary to consult with a neurologist or neuropsychologist in the diagnosis of mental retardation when there are complex neurological or cognitive issues that require specialized assessment. They can provide valuable insights into brain function and help identify underlying causes or contributing factors to the individual's cognitive impairments. Working together, they can offer a comprehensive evaluation and treatment plan for individuals with mental retardation.

Maternal conditions like placental insufficiency, chronic hypertension, and gestational diabetes can interrupt oxygen flow to the fetus, potentially leading to mental retardation. These conditions can reduce the amount of oxygen reaching the fetus, affecting its brain development and cognitive function. Proper management and monitoring of these conditions during pregnancy are essential to minimize the risk of mental retardation in the fetus.

Chromosome mutations such as aneuploidy (caused by trisomy or monosomy of specific chromosomes), microdeletions (e.g. Cri du Chat syndrome), and translocations (e.g. Fragile X syndrome) are known to be associated with mental retardation or intellectual disabilities. These mutations can disrupt normal gene function and development in the brain, leading to cognitive impairments.

The congenital disorder caused by having an extra 21st chromosome is called Down syndrome. It is characterized by physical features such as a flat face, short stature, and intellectual disabilities.

Down syndrome is the genetic disorder characterized by varying degrees of mental retardation. It is caused by the presence of an extra copy of chromosome 21. Symptoms of Down syndrome can vary widely, but intellectual disability is a common characteristic.

Stem cell research has the potential to help with mental retardation by better understanding the underlying causes of intellectual disabilities and developing new treatments. However, more research is needed to fully understand how stem cells could be used to improve outcomes for individuals with mental retardation.

There is no good way to tell. What type of retardation? The other parent of the child could be the source. Those two people could simply have been a bad genetic match. An isolated case caused by other factors. There are some genetic tests for some things, but I don't think a complete screening is possible yet. You could look at the extended family of both parents and see if similar cases have shown up. If so then you could suspect that branch of that family had some issue. Depending on the issue with the current child, your doctor might be able to give you some clue, but with a new partner, there will be a new mix of genes and what good or bad mix there may be is still a guess. Unless the current parent has a known problem you would be running the same risk everyone does. Question is Can you deal with being a parent of a child with issues and are you willing to take the chance. Same question every potential parent should ask themselves. Can I be a parent no matter what?

People with intellectual disabilities have the same basic rights as anyone else, including the right to dignity, equality, respect, and autonomy. They also have the right to access support services, education, healthcare, and employment opportunities to help them live fulfilling lives. It is important to ensure that individuals with intellectual disabilities are given the necessary accommodations and protections to fully enjoy their rights.

Depending on the IQ level of a child, most children diagnosed with mild mental retardation will start experiencing scholastic problems from about Grade 3 to Grade 6. This is mostly because the academic level of school work starts requiring increased abstract thinking and complex cognitive processing, which the child is unable to do. It is usually possible to differentiate between mild mental retardation (or intellectual disability) and a learning disorder as the former is more pervasive and the child struggles with all school work, not just one specific aspect of learning (such as spelling, reading, writing or arithmetic.

It is important to note, though, that given a supportive learning environment with individual attention and allowing the child to work at his/her pace and preference, a child with mild mental retardation is quite capable of reaching an adequate level of school achievement - sufficient to lead an independent, product life as an adult.

In "Of Mice and Men," Lennie shows signs of being mentally challenged through his limited cognitive ability, childlike behavior, and difficulty understanding social cues. He often relies on George to guide him and struggles with processing information or making decisions independently. Lennie's repetition of phrases, fixation on soft things, and lack of understanding of consequences further illustrate his cognitive limitations.

The term "mental retardation" is generally considered outdated and offensive. People with intellectual disabilities may have a shorter life expectancy due to health complications or co-occurring conditions, but it is not accurate to say that a specific number of people die specifically from having an intellectual disability. It is important to focus on providing proper support and healthcare to improve the quality of life and longevity for individuals with intellectual disabilities.

Depending on the level of severity, a person with mental retardation can participate in society in a variety of ways. A person with mild mental retardation, may learn such vocational skills as simple assembly, stocking, cleaning, food prep, landscaping, or doing laundry. Some people with MR have splinter skills, for example, having good coordination or visual-spatial abilities which may allow for achieving higher skills such as driving. It is important to do an interest survey to focus on possible future jobs. Organizations such as WorkAbility provide matching services for adults with disabilities and good work skills with employers seeking to hire people who are differently-abled. Vocational goals also include skills for independent living such as paying bills, cooking, hygiene, shopping, cleaning, laundry, use of public transportation, and safety awareness. Social skills such as how to interview, how to make casual conversation, how to talk to a boss, and how to appropriately talk to someone of the opposite sex can also be part of a comprehensive vocational program. People who have more severe types of mental retardation can still benefit from independence training. This may include self-grooming, self-dressing, making choices about food or activities, and following routines.

Euthanizing mentally ill or intellectually disabled individuals is not ethically permissible. Every individual has the right to life and deserves to be treated with dignity and respect, regardless of their mental or physical capabilities. It is important to provide appropriate support, care, and accommodations to enhance their quality of life.

The very word Retarded, in one sense meaning slow, explains things. Nearly all retarded people have some form of speech defect, often called Tardive Dysklesia- (fo some reason this is pronounced ( Tardiff). They have an odd nasal speech pattern one might associate with, yes, the Cartoon character Baby Huey- who was supposed to be retarded. Huey finished practically every episode with the sickening boast( I"m a Mental Retard!) Amazing that that was allowed on cartoons in the fifties. They all have a strange, usually slowed drawl way of talking, and it stands out. This should not be confused with a dialect such as Cockney or a Spanish Accent, but is a definite Retarded accent. Colored Girls, for example comes out ( Cold Gales) we had a neighbor who was retarded and from her talk of Cold Gales in Atlantic City, we assumed she was talking about the weather! then she modified it, Cold Gales like the Supremes! Oh boy!

Those that have Down's Syndrome have a genetic defect that makes their faces flat and their eyes are slanted with a fold of skin.

We have to be very careful with this, because mental retardation cannot be diagnosed knowing only a person's standard IQ score. There must also be serious impairment in two areas of adaptive behavior. If a person can communicate with others, take care of her/himself in regard to daily living activities, and if the person has good social skills, then mental retardation is not an appropriate label for that person. Generally, an IQ below 70 would also be part of the diagnostic picture for someone dealing with mental retardation.

No. A diagnosed mentally retarded person lacks the legal capacity to sign a contract.

No. A diagnosed mentally retarded person lacks the legal capacity to sign a contract.

No. A diagnosed mentally retarded person lacks the legal capacity to sign a contract.

No. A diagnosed mentally retarded person lacks the legal capacity to sign a contract.

Mental retardation was once a medical diagnostic term, but society turned it into something derogatory and hurtful. It is no longer acceptable in this and many other societies to identify anyone with a developmental or intellectual disability as "retarded" and continuing to use the "R" word after having been informed makes that person a bully. Now YOU know.

No. Down's is only one of millions of reasons to become retarded. While it used to be thought that only children with Down's were the only ones who were mentally retarded, it is now known that Down syndrome is only one of the hundreds of known causes of a child being mentally retarded.

It's even been documented that one-third of the children who are mentally retarded have no known cause.

Two other major known causes are Fragile X and Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Disorder. Like Down syndrome, Fragile X Syndrome is a chromosome abnormality.

However, FASD is not a chromosome abnormality. FASD is the only preventable -- 100% preventable -- cause of mental retardation. It is also the only one that is 100% untreatable. It's actually been estimated that FASD affects 40,000 infants each year. That is more than Spina Bifida, Down syndrome and Muscular Dystrophy combined.

Lots of research is being done endlessly -- with parental education being the most important.